York News-Times Reprint
Written by Parker Garlough
Several criminal justice-related county departments are seeking to hire more staff, department officials told the County Board earlier this month.
County attorney staff could increase from 2.65 to 4
The County Attorney’s Office currently has two full-time attorneys and one part-time attorney. They are hoping to increase the part-time attorney’s hours to full-time and hire a new attorney.
“I have been contacted by a young man that would like to work in my office, and so it’s not just imagination that I would be able to find an additional attorney,” Olson said, commenting on the rarity of rural attorneys.
Nathan Heinz works part time at the County Attorney’s Office — at about two-thirds the hours of a full-time employee — and part time in zoning. Olson hopes to increase his hours to full time.
Heinz said he does not anticipate having an issue with a more-than-full-time workload, so he would be willing to remain at the zoning office as well.
The staffing increase would bring York County up to the level of some similar counties.
“York County rivals Platte County and Dodge County in case numbers,” Olson said. “In some categories, we actually surpass that. Dodge County has five full-time attorneys. Platte County has four full-time attorneys.”
Commissioner Daniel Grotz was wary of the cost of expanding the staff.
“Those numbers are probably on the high end,” Grotz said. “I’ll put it that way.”
Sheriff’s Office hopes to expand force
The York County Sheriff’s Office is requesting a 6.16% budget increase. Some of that would go toward hiring an additional officer with a base salary of $70,000.
“We have increased call volume that presents clear need for why we would need additional manpower,” Deputy Sheriff Josh Gillespie said.
Overtime hours have “increased dramatically” in the past year, he said.
“What does that do to your overtime?” Commissioner Andy Bowman asked. “Does it cut in half? Does it drop it a third, a quarter?”
Gillespie did not directly answer Bowman’s question. The Sheriff’s Office could not be reached for comment afterward.
Public defender seeks new deputy
The public defender’s budget will increase because a deputy public defender will be on the staff for the whole year.
“The deputy public defender is the biggest portion, and that’s because last year we budgeted only for six months of a deputy,” Public Defender David Michel said.
The deputy public defender will be a new employee, because the current deputy is replacing Michel.
“I will be retiring as of the end of September, and Tim Matas, who will be taking my place, is currently working part time as deputy,” Michel said.
